ESP Biography

Ever wondered about the seemingly infinite repeating patterns of fractals? River branches, tree roots, and lightning bolts are all examples of natural fractal patterns. In this class, we'll explore how random processes generate these patterns using large molecules called polymers. Come make your own fractal patterns to take home during a hands-on activity with polymer-based paints! Learn how viscous polymer solutions can produce the same beautiful patterns we see in nature in our own hands.

It's a bad day if your phone screen cracks, but it's something else entirely if your airplane falls out of the sky. Learn about the science and engineering behind materials failures in history through demonstrations and hands-on experiments. Emphasis on HANDS-ON demonstrations, not a boring lecture! We'll experience first-hand how liquid metals can catastrophically destroy structural materials in applications like space exploration and aerospace. We'll explore how many materials can change dramatically with changes in structure, temperature, and other conditions. You'll walk away from this class with greater knowledge of the atomic structure of materials and a deeper appreciation for the diverse properties of the materials that surround our everyday life.